ft  I  7-  r • J  I 


U.  S.  DEPAR  rMENT  OF  AGRICULTURE, 

Bl  Kl    M     OF   PLANT   INDUSTRY— Circular  No.  51. 
■  -\\  LOWAY,  I 


FRUIT  GROWING    FOR   HOME  USE   IN 

THE  CENTRAL   AND  SOUTHERN 

GREAT  PLAINS. 


IT.  P.  GOULD, 
Pomologisi    i\  Charge  of  Fri  m  District 

I  w  I  STIGATIONS. 


WASHINGTON    \  GOVERNMENT  PRINTING  OFFICE   :  1910 


D^ClJMgNT^^EPT 


BlREAl     OF  PLANT  IMMSTRY 


Chief  of  Bureau,  Beverly  'I'.  Galloway. 

i.ant  Chief of  Bureau,  G.Harold  Powell. 
Editor,  .1.  E.  Rockwell. 
Chief  Clerk,  James  E.  Jones. 


[Cir.51] 
2 


FRUITGROWING  FOR  HOME  USE  [N  THE  CENTRAL 
AND  SOUTHERN  GREAT  PLAIN 


LOCATION  OF  THE  REGION  UNDER  DISCUSSION. 

The  geographical  position  of  the  Great  Plains  is  indicated  by  the 
map  shown  in  figure  I.  This  map  was  first  used  in  the  Yearbook  of 
the  Department  of  Agriculture  for  L907  in  connection  with  an  article 
1>\  Prof.  E.  C.  Chilcott,  of  this  Bureau,  entitled  "Dry-Land  Farming 
in  the  Great  Plains  Area  ".  The  eastern  boundary  of  the  Great  Plains 
from  an  agricultural  standpoint  is  considered  somewhat  arbitrarily 
to  be  the  ninety-eighth  meridian.  The  western  boundary  is  likewise 
assumed  to  be  the  5,000-foot  contour.  It  extends  south  as  far  as  the 
thirty-second  parallel  of  latitude  and  north  to  the  Canadian  line. 

For  the  purposes  of  the  present  discussion,  western  Kansas  and 
eastern  Colorado  comprise  the  section  referred  to  as  the  central  Great 
Plains:  western  Oklahoma,  the  Panhandle  of  Texas,  and  eastern  New 
Mexico  constitute  the  southern  portion. 

In  this  c lection  it  should  he  stated  that  between  the  5,000-foot 

coni  our  and  the  Rocky  Mountains  there  are  points  which  have  an  ele- 
vation exceeding  5,000  feet,  where  fruit  is  grown  with  some  success 
without  irrigation.  In  fact,  two  of  the  most  successful  nonirrigated 
orchards  in  eastern  Colorado  are  considerably  above  this  elevation. 
One  of  these  is  near  Littleton,  with  an  elevation  of  about  5,350  feet; 
the  Other,  near  Parker,  with  an  alt  it  ude  of  nearly  6,000  feet. 

"  In  the  rapid  settlement  of  the  semiarid  region,  the  matter  of  home  building  is  a 
very  important  feature  of  the  development  thai  is  in  pro  id  supply  of  fruil 

may  be  made  to  contribute  very  materially  to  this  end  and  add  greatly  to  the  well- 

ofthefamily.     During  the  summer  of  19i   I  iderable  number  of  repre 

tive  fruil  gardens  and  orchards  in  eastern  Colorado,  western  Kansas,  and  the  Panhandle 
i  -  were  visited  by  Mr.  II.  P  Gould,  Pomologisl  in  Charge  of  Fruil  District  Inves- 
ts, for  the  purpose  of  studying  conditions,  varieties,  methods,  etc.,  and  with  a 
view  to  making  the  information  thus  obtained  available  for  the  benefil  of  the  large 
number  of  new  settlers  who  arc  rapidly  coming  to  these  sections  to  make  1 
This  paper  is  largely  an  account  of  the  methods  thai  appear  to  be  best  suited  to  the 
ic  and  other  conditions  in  this  region  and  which  thus  far  have  given  promising 
results,  supplemented  l>y  such  suggestions  as  the  investigations  of  the  writer  have 
1  forth      A     I'.  Wo< ids,  Actini 
[Cir.  51]  3 


4  FRUIT    GROWING    FOR    HOME    USE    IN    THE   GREAT    PLAINS. 

THE   PRESENT   STATUS  OF  FRUIT  GROWING. 

Comparatively  little  attention  has  been  given  to  fruit  growing  in 
the  Great  Plains  area,  except  at  a  few  points  where  water  is  available 
for  irrigation,  yet  in  the  aggregate  there  are  many  ranchers  who  have 
started  a  small  orchard  or  fruit    garden.     The  product  from    these 


Fig.  1.  -Map  showing  the  geographical  position  of  the  Oreat  Plains  area  and  the  annual  and 

seasonal  rainfall. 

iills  an  important  place  in  the  economy  of  the  household  and  in  the 
pleasures  of  the  family.  In  some  sections,  notably  in  certain  por- 
tions of  the  Panhandle  of  Texas,  a  considerable  proportion  of  the 
farm  homes  have  small  orchards  adjacent  t<>  them.     Grapevines  and 

I'   u.  51] 


I  i;i    n     GROWING    FOB    HOME    USE    IN    THE    GREAT    PLAINS.  5 

some  of  the  small  fruits  are  also  frequently  round.  The  orchard 
fruits  comprise  principally  apples,  cherries,  and  native  plums. 
Peaches  are  quite  common  in  sonic  sections,  while  occasionally  pears 
and  apricots  are  seen. 

In  a  lew  instances  fruil  plantations  of  commercial  size  liave  been 
developed  entirely  without  irrigation,  in  to  20  acres  -in  a  ver\  few 
cases  more  being  devoted  by  a  single  individual  to  fruil  growing. 
But  such  plantations  are  exceptional.  Where  they  do  exist  they 
have  been  developed  gradually  with  the  increasing  experience  of  the 
o\\  ner. 

The  fruil  from  commercial  orchards  in  this  region,  and  from  the 
home  fruil  gardens  w  henever  t  here  is  a  sm  plus,  always  sells  very  read- 
ily, buyers  sometimes  driving  -tn  and  50  miles  across  the  plains  to 
obtain    it. 

'The  possibility  of  growing  fruil  at  many  points  m  the  central  and 
southern  Greal  Plains  ma}  he  said,  within  certain  limits  at  least,  to 
have  been  demonstrated.  In  the  majority  of  the  orchards  and  fruit 
gardens  investigated  the  results  have  just  died  the  efforts  that  have 
been  made.  In  numerous  widel}  separated  cases  \cr\  satisfactory 
return-  have  been  secured.  In  many  sections  a  complete  crop  failure 
is  rare. 

Nol  all  of  the  efforts  to  grow  fruit,  however, have  been  successful. 
Many  things  have  contributed  to  failure.  The  one  ever-present  diffi 
< - 1 1 1 1  \  where  onhj  the  natural  rainfall  is  available  is  lack  of  moisture. 
Yet  after  the  trees  are  well  established  it  is  not  often  that  this  causes 
more  than  temporary  losses,  as  a  crop  of  fruit  for  a  single  season. 
In  some  sections  hail  is  frequent  and  occasionally  causes  great  dam- 
age not  onh  tothefruit  but  to  the  trees.  Many  regard  it  as  the  most 
serious  factor  that  has  to  be  considered.  Late  spring  frosts  are  also 
a  cause  of  much  injury.  But  with  all  the  difficulties,  rarely  is  the 
effort  to  grew  fruit  one  to  he  regretted.  Those  who  have  been  suc- 
cessful  prize  beyond  any  commensurate  monetary  value  the  product 
of  t  heir  t  rees  and  bushes. 

THE  OUTLOOK  FOR  THE  FUTURE. 

The  vasl  majority  of  settlers  on  the  Greal  Plains  must  depend  upon 
their  own  plantations  for  a  supply  of  fruil  for  home  use.  Most  of 
those  who  do  nol  have  home-grown  fruit  are  obliged  to  do  without  it. 

The  chief  interest,  therefore,  in  the  cultivation  of  fruil  in  this  region 
centers  about  the  home  and  the  production  of  enough  to  meet  the 
need-  or  desires  of  each  family. 

Here  and  t  here,  a-  above  stated,  t  here  are  fruit  plantations  of  com- 
mercial si/.e.     Doubtless  others  will  he  developed  in  the  future.     But 

[Clr.  r.i  I 


6  FRUIT   GROWING  FOR   HOME   USE   IN   THE   GREAT   PLAINS. 

such  plantations  will  be  located  as  are  those  now  in  existence  (1)  on 
especially  favorable  sites  where  more  or  less  water  is  available  for 
irrigation"  in  times  of  extreme  drought  and  where  hailstorms  and 
late  spring  frosts  occur  but  rarely,  or  (2)  they  will  be  owned  by  men 
with  sufficient  capital  to  enable  them  to  resort  to  unusual  and  rela- 
tively expensive  methods  of  tiding  the  trees  over  such  crises,  or 
(3)  they  will  be  developed  gradually  by  the  extension  of  small  home 
orchards  as  the  owners  gain  experience  and  the  conviction  that  their 
location  and  personal  qualifications  warrant  it. 

The  matter  of  reasonably  successful  fruit  culture  in  this  region,  at 
least  for  home  use,  resolves  itself  largely  into  two  questions:  (1) 
The  selection  of  varieties  adapted  to  the  conditions,  and  (2)  the  appli- 
cation of  suitable  methods  of  orchard  maintenance.  The  primary 
object  of  this  paper  is  to  discuss  some  of  the  factors  that  contribute 
to  these  ends. 

CLIMATIC  CONDITIONS. 

The  rainfall  and  temperature  conditions  are  the  most  important 
climatic  factors  in  connection  with  fruit  growing.  The  seasonal  and 
annual  precipitation  in  the  Great  Plains  are  shown  by  the  broken 
lines  in  figure  1.  Hailstorms  are  serious  in  some  sections  and  some- 
times cause  much  damage  to  fruit  and  fruit  trees. 

Of  the  temperature  conditions  that  characterize  the  region  under 
discussion,  late  spring  frosts  are  perhaps  the  most  serious  feature. 
Injury  to  the  fruit  blossoms  is  rather  frequent  from  this  cause. 

The  data  collected  in  table  1,  on  page  7,  will  give  the  reader  a 
general  conception  of  prevailing  conditions  as  to  precipitation  and 
range  of  temperature  in  this  region: 

a  In  Bulletin  130  of  the  Bureau  of  Plant  Industry,  which  is  composed  of  papers  pre- 
sented at  the  second  annual  meeting  of  "The  Cooperative  Experiment  Association  of 
the  Great  Plains  Area,"  held  at  Manhattan,  Kans.,  June  26-27,  1907,  there  occurs 
one  by  Mr.  J.  E.  Payne,  superintendent  of  (he  substation  of  this  Department  at  Akron, 
Colo.,  entitled  "  Fruit  Growing  on  the  Plains."  This  article  gives  a  general  account  of 
fruit  culture  in  this  region  and  discusses,  among  other  matters,  several  different  meth- 
ods of  collecting  and  storing  water  for  use  on  small  areas  of  land.  A  number  of  diagrams 
are  used  which  aid  very  materially  in  giving  clearness  to  the  discussion.  These  mel  h- 
ods  are  applicable  in  many  locations  in  the  region  included  in  the  present  discussion. 
The  reader  is  referred  to  the  bulletin  mentioned  for  information  relative  to  them. 
[Cir.  51] 


nail    GROWING    FOB    HOME    USE    I  \     CHE    GREAT    PLAINS.  i 

Table  [.—Records  of  temp  frost,  and  precipitation  at  several  points  in  tfu  • 

■ 


lion. 

Tempera' 

ure. 

Absolute 

mini- 
mum 
(February 

Locality. 

Absolute 
ma\i- 
liium 

1902). 

with 

maxi- 
mum 
above 

Kays 
with 

Annual. 

Maxi- 
mum. 

Mini- 
mum. 

mum 
below 
32°  F. 

Garden  City,  (Cans 

4,663 
5,  700 

°F. 
17 

56 

°F. 

°F. 

31 

37 

:« 
ii 

112 
100 

103 

27 

19 
12 

ill 
179 

148 

Vmarillo,  Tex.. . 

111 

First  kill- 
ing in 
autumn 


I..im  in      Earliest 
spring      killing 

111113-      " 


i  larden  City,  Kans 0 

Colo....  0 

Hoehne,  Colo 

Amarillo,  Tex.  Nov. .  7 


Precipi- 
tation, 
annual. 


2     Sept.    7 
May    I 

Apr.   28     Sept.  12 

ept.  13 

Apr.    12     Oct.    16 


May 
June 
May 
July 
May 


26 


14.6 
11.6 
13.0 
21.9 


<i  January,  1901.  I 

SITES  FOR  FRUIT  PLANTATIONS. 

In  the  central  and  southern  Greal  1  Ma  ins  the  sites  for  orchards  and 
other  fruit-producing  plants  should  be  selected  as  a  rule  with  refer- 
ence to  the  besl  supply  of  soil  moisture.  On  some  of  the  ranches. 
especially  the  smaller  ones,  there  is  little  or  no  choice,  as  the  conditions 
are  so  nearly  uniform.  Convenience  of  location  in  such  eases  will 
probably  be  the  ruling  factor. 

In  many  instances,  however,  the  soil  conditions  with  regard  to 
moisture  can  be  taken  into  account.  Streams  of  considerable  size 
pass  through  some  of  the  ranches.  The  bottom  land  adjacent!  to 
such  streams  frequently  has  an  underflow  which  can  be  reached  by 
the  roots  of  fruit  trees.  Under  such  conditions  trees  often  make  a 
remarkable  growth. 

The  water  from  small  streams,  even  if  they  are  dry  a  considerable 
portion  of  the  tune,  can  often  be  utilized  to  good  advantage  for  fruit 
growing  if  the  plantations  are  hunted  with  reference  to  such  sources 
of  supply.  On  many  ranches  that  are  not  traversed  by  streams  of 
any  description  there  is  still  some  choice  of  site.  Wherever  a  slight 
elevation  or  slope  occurs  from  which  there  is  surface  drainage  during 
showers  or  more  protracted  rains,  the  area  which  receives  the  run-oil", 
other  things  being  equal,  is  a  relatively  favorable  site  for  fruit  grov  ing. 
This  is  because  of  the  additional  quantity  of  water  that  ii  receives. 

[Clr  ..I] 


8  FRUIT    GROWING    FOR    HOME    USE    IN    THE    GREAT   PLAINS. 

By  taking  advantage  of  such  conditions  as  these  with  regard  to 
sites  it  is  often  possible  to  make  results  reasonably  certain  where 
otherwise  there  would  be  much  risk. 

PREPARING  THE  LAND  FOR  PLANTING. 

Generally  speaking,  the  primary  aim  should  be  to  so  manage  the 
soil  that  it  will  contain  the  greatest  quantity  of  moisture  possible 
when  the  trees  and  other  plants  are  set  out.  This  is  for  the  purpose 
of  insuring  a  sufficient  supply  to  enable  them  to  start  into  vigorous 
growth  at  once. 

So  far  as  possible,  the  preparation  of  the  land  for  planting  fruits 
should  be  begun  two  years  before  they  are  to  be  set  out.  A  course 
suggested  in  the  present  connection  by  one  of  much  experience  in  the 
Great  Plains  is  as  follows : 

The  first  step  should  be  to  thoroughly  prepare  the  land  for  a  crop 
of  corn,  potatoes,  beans,  or  some  other  cultivated  crop.  Sorghum, 
however,  should  not  be  used  in  this  connection,  as  it  is  likely  to  take 
too  much  moisture  from  the  soil. 

This  preparation  should  consist  of  deep  plowing;  that  is,  to  a 
depth  of  8  to  f  0  inches.  Then  thorough  cultivation  should  he  given 
before  planting  the  crop,  followed  by  frequent  and  thorough  tillage 
throughout  the  season.  This  treatment  under  fairly  favorable  con- 
ditions should  result  in  a  good  crop,  and  will  also  aid  in  keeping  the 
soil  in  that  condition  which  best  permits  deep  plowing  in  late  summer 
or  early  fall.  During  the  next  season  the  land  should  be  thoroughly 
summer  fallowed  to  conserve  in  the  soil  to  the  fullest  extent  possible 
the  rain  that  falls  during  the  warm  season.  This  treatment  consists 
of  disking  or  harrowing  every  few  days.  By  this  means  vegetation 
of  all  kinds  will  be  kept  down  and  a  good  surface  mulch  maintained. 

If  the  soil  is  heavy  or  becomes  very  compact  below  the  surface 
mulch  during  the  summer  fallowing,  it  should  be  plowed  again  in  the 
fall  before  the  planting,  which  should  be  done  in  the  spring. 

A  practice  that  has  given  good  success  at  the  time  of  this  plowing, 
or  during  the  fall  if  late  plowing  is  omitted,  is  to  lay  the  ground  oil'  in 
narrow  lands  so  that  there  will  be  a  dead  furrow  where  each  row  of 
trees  is  to  stand.  These  furrows  serve  to  hold  rain  that  might  other- 
wise be  lost.  It  is  a  good  plan,  after  these  dead  furrows  have  been 
made,  to  open  them  still  deeper  by  plowing  as  deeply  as  possible.  The 
soil  should  then  be  harrowed  thoroughly  and  compacted. 

To  sum  up  the  foregoing  suggestions,  the  best  preparation  of  the 
soil  lor  fruit  trees  consists— 

FIRST   SEASON. 

(1)  In  thorough  preparation  for  a  cultivated  crop,  such  as  corn  and  potatoes 

(2)  In  thorough  cultivation  of  the  crop  throughout  the  Beason, 

(3)  In  deep  full  plowing  after  the  crop  is  harvested. 
[Cir.  51  I 


FBI    II    GROWING    FOB    HOM]     LTSJ     IN     Nil     GREA1     PLAINS.  9 

SECOND    -I    \-"\ 

l     lii  thorough  summer  fallowing. 

In  plowing  8  to  10  inches  deep  in  the  fall  before  planting  the  trees,  unless  this 
has  been  done  for  a  pr.  \  ious  crop. 

In  opening  furrows  a  d<  i  p  is  can  be  done  with  a  plow  where  the  rows  of  trees 
are  to  stand.     This  should  be  done  in  the  fall  and  the  trees  planted  the  nexl  spring. 

[n  addition  to  opening  a  dead  furrow  where  the  rows  of  trees  are  to 
stand,  one  verj  successful  grower  in  this  region  during  the  fall  digs 
the  holes  where  the  t ices  are  to  be  planted,  making  them  large  and 

deep.  The  furrows  and  holes  eaieh  any  run-off  that  ina\  occur  dur- 
ing rains,  and  in  t  he  winter,  where  t  here  is  a  considerable  fall  of  snow  . 
i lie\  lil I  up  with  snow  when  it  drifts  over  the  ground.  As  it  melts  in 
the  spring  or  on  warm  days  in  winter  additional  moisture  is  collected 

where    it    is   mosl    needed    and    -oaks   into   1  he   ground    deeper   than    it 

oi  he i  u  ise  w  ould. 

ruder  ordinary  climatic  condition-  tin-  method  of  preparing  the 
land  should  result  in  its  being  well  supplied  with  moisture.  Under 
these  conditions  the  trees  should  start  into  growth  readily  and  make 
a,  good  development  of  roots. 

NURSERY  STOCK. 

Only  nursery  -lock  of  good  grade  and  quality  should  he  used  in  this 
region.  In  Tact,  it  i-  usuall}  poor  economy  to  plant  poor  stock 
Under  an\  condition-.  It  is  difficult,  however,  to  indicate  just  what 
nursery  stock  of  "good  grade  and  quality  "  is  without  entering  into  a 
more  extended  discussion  of  the  matter  than  the  limits  of  this  paper 
permit. 

Manx  factors  need  consideration  in  this  connection.  Varieties 
differ  in  habit  of  growth  in  the  nursery  a-  well  as  when  they  reach 
mat  me  age.  For  instance,  some  varieties  of  the  apple  are  weak 
growers,  while  others  are  relatively  vigorous.  Hence  a  large  tree  of 
a  particular  variety  and  age  might  represent  in  size  a  Small  tree  of 
some  Other  SOrl  of  the  same  age.  Some  varieties  are  drooping, 
scragglj  growers;  others  make  an  upright  growth.  The  conditions 
under  which  the  stock  i-  grown  as  to  soil,  moisture,  etc.  and  the 
standards  of  differenl  nurserymen  are  all  factors  which  enter  into 
the  matter.  It  may  he  -aid  in  general,  however,  that  nursery  stock 
should  he  free  from  injurious  diseases  and  insect  pests,  well  rooted, 
and  well  grown  in  every  way.  In  many  cases  undoubtedly  much 
responsibility  with  regard  to  the  suitability  of  the  stock  secured  must 
rest  with  i  he  nurserj  man  who  supplies  it . 

Aside  from  the  general  healthfulness of  the  stock,  perhaps  no  other 

factor  is  of  so  great  importance  as  that  it  he  well  rooted,     [f  planted 

m   a     section   where   their   is  usually   an  abundance  of  moisture   and 

where   other   climatic    conditions   are  favorable,    poorlj    route, I    -tuck 

23902— Cir.  51— 10 2 


10  FRUIT   GROWING   FUR    HOME   USE   IN    THE   GREAT   PLAINS. 

may  have  some  possibility  of  overcoming  and  outgrowing  defects 
incident  to  a  poor  root  system.  Under  the  semiarid  conditions  of  the 
Great  Plains,  however,  the  risk  is  too  great  to  warrant  the  planting 
of  such  stock. 

The  age  at  which  nursery  stock  is  planted  varies  more  or  less  with 
different  growers;  it  also  depends  upon  the  kind  of  fruit.  In  the  case 
of  apples,  pears,  plums,  and  cherries,  two-year-old  trees  are  generally 
used.  These  are  trees  that  have  grown  in  the  nursery  for  two  sea- 
sons after  being  budded  or  root  grafted.  One-year-old  peaches  and 
apricots  are  usually  preferred.  One-year  grape  roots  are  frequently 
used,  but  more  commonly  two-year  roots  are  planted.  Either  one  or 
two  year  old  plants  of  currants  and  gooseberries  are  used.  Most 
of  the  small-fruit  stock,  however,  is  suitable1  for  planting  after  one 
season's  growth  in  the  nursery. 

It  is  a  question  whether  good-sized  one-year-old  trees  of  all  the 
above  kinds  of  orchard  fruits  are  not  fully  as  satisfactory  for  planting 
in  this  region  as  older  trees.  This  view  is  probably  not  in  accord 
with  the  prevailing  opinion  and  usual  practice.  It  is,  however,  sup- 
ported by  the  opinion  of  a  considerable  number  of  experienced 
growers  in  this  region.  The  writer  is  convinced  that  in  many  cases 
the  younger  trees  can  be  planted  with  a,  good  degree  of  success.  The 
results  obtained  at  the  dry-hind  fruit  garden  maintained  at  the  depart- 
mental substation  at  Akron,  Colo.,  likewise  point  in  this  direction. 

There  is  considerable  interest  in  this  country  at  the  present  time 
in  regard  to  dwarf  apples.  These  are  trees  propagated  on  Paradise 
or  Doucin  stocks,  which  has  the  effect  of  greatly  dwarfing  the  growth 
of  the  trees.  Quite  a  number  of  these  trees  have  been  planted  as  an 
experiment  at  Akron,  Colo.,  in  the  dry-land  fruit  garden  just  men- 
tioned.    No  conclusions,  however,  are  warranted  at  this  time. 

PLANTING  THE  TREES. 

If  the  nursery  stock  is  not  to  be  planted  within  a  very  few  days 
after  it  is  received,  it  should  be  unpacked  and  "heeled  in."  To  do 
this  make  a,  dee])  furrow  and  place  the  roots  of  the  trees  or  other  plants 
in  it,  with  the  tops,  in  the  case  of  trees,  nearly  horizontal,  back 
moist  soil  about  the  roots  so  as  to  keep  them  from  becoming  dry. 
Light  watering  ma}  be  necessary  occasionally  to  maintain  the  soil 
in  ;i  sufficiently  moist  condition.  In  some  cases  the  tops  may  need 
protection.  If  the  branches  become  dry  and  the  hark  begins  to 
shrivel  in  the  least,  soil  should  he  thrown  over  the  entire  trees  or 
some  other  means  of  protection  provided.  With  these  precautions 
stock  may  be  held  in  good  condition  for  some  time  if  necessary. 

When  the  stock  is  handled  for  planting, the  roots  should  still  be  so 
protected  that  they  will  not  become  dry.  This  may  be  done  by  cover- 
ing I  hem  with  wet  gunny  sacks  or  some  other  suitable  material.  It 
[Cir.  51] 


I'IMIT    GROWING    FOB    HOM1      I'SE    IN    THE    GREAT    PLAINS.  11 

is  a  good  practice  to  "puddle"  the  roots  before  planting.  This  con- 
sists in  dipping  them  in  rather  thin  mud,  which  gives  the  roots  a 
moist  covering  of  soil.  This  furnishes  considerable  protection  if  they 
arc  iioi  exposed  too  long. 

Spring  planting  is  advised,  as  the  winter  conditions  would  doubt- 
less be  very  hard  on  stock  planted  in  the  fall. 

In  general,  the  advice  about  trimming  oil'  injured  roots,  cutting 
back  the  top,  etc..  usually  given  for  planting  trees  and  other  plants 
in  humid  sections,  applies  in  this  region.  Low-headed  trees  are 
undoubtedly  to  be  desired;  that  is  trees  t  he  tops  of  which  are  formed 
not  more  than  1  •">  inches  to  2  feet  from  the  ground.  To  produce  such 
trees  a  more  severe  heading  back  when  the  trees  are  set  out  may  be 
Decessary  than  many  persons  with  experience  elsewhere  are  accus- 
tomed to  give.  It  will  not  be  difficult  to  develop  trees  with  low 
heads,  however,  if  one-year-old  trees  are  planted.  This  is  an  addi- 
tional advantage  in  planting  trees  of  this  age.  The  heads  of  older 
trees  are  formed  when  received  from  the  nursery  and  they  may  not 
meet  the  wishes  of  the  planter  in  this  respect. 

In  starting  the  head  of  a  tree,  four  to  six  main  branches  should 
usually  he  allowed  to  remain.  Or,  if  desired,  a  single  "leader"  may 
be  left  iii  the  center  of  the  tree  and  the  head  formed  by  a  considerable 
number  of  comparatively  small  branches  radiating  from  it. 

Reference  has  already  been  made  to  digging  the  holes  in  which 
to  set  the  l  rees.  If  t  hey  have  been  made  large  and  deep,  as  previously 
mentioned,  they  may  need  to  he  partially  Idled  before  ihe  trees  are 
place. I  in  them  t"  avoid  too  deep  planting.  In  filling  in  the  soil  about 
the  roots,  the  usual  precautions  need  to  be  observed  in  regard  to 
packing  the  soil  firmly.  If  it  is  not  sufficiently  moist  to  insure  the 
prompt  starting  of  the  tree  into  growth,  enough  water  should  be 
poured  into  the  hole  after  it  has  been  partially  Idled  with  soil  to 
thoroughly  wet  the  portion  in  close  proximity  to  the  roots.  The 
hole  i-  then  tilled,  though  many  leave  the  surface  about  the  tree  a, 
little  lower  than  the  general  level  in  order  to  retain  in  the  little 
"basin"  thus  made  the  rain  which  might  otherwise  drain  away. 
Such  a  practice  is  of  particular  value  during  heavy  showers  when 
there  is  considerable  run-off,  more  water  being  retained  about  the 
tree  than  would  be  the  case  if  the  surface  was  perfectly  level. 

While  many  trees  are  planted  only  two  or  three  inches  deeper  than 
they  were  in  the  nursery,  as  in  other  regions,  many  advise  setting 
them  at  least  six  inches  deeper  than  they  stood  in  the  nursery.  This 
places  the  roots  where  they  are  less  influenced  by  surface  conditions. 
The  t  rees  arc  more  I  irmly  lixed  in  the  ground  than  if  planted  shallow 
and  are  therefore  less  affected  by  the  winds.  In  other  ways  there 
appear-  I"  lie  good  reason  for  this  deep  planting. 
[Cir.  :.i  I 


12  FRUIT    GROWING    FOR    HOME    USE    IN    THE    GREAT    PLAINS. 

Strong  winds  are  characteristic  of  the  Great  Plains — so  much  so 
that  in  many  exposed  sections  the  tops  of  the  trees  by  its  force  are 
distinctly  inclined  away  from  the  direction  of  the  prevailing  wind. 
At  most  points  this  is  from  the  southwest.  To  overcome  the  influ- 
ence of  these  prevailing  winds  the  trees  when  they  are  set  should  be 
inclined  somewhat  toward  the  quarter  from  which  these  winds  come. 
The  direction  for  setting  as  given  in  one  instance  is  to  "incline  the 
trees  toward  the  2  o'clock  sun." 

By  leaning  the  trees,  as  suggested,  the  injury  to  the  trunks  which 
often  occurs  where  they  lean  toward  the  north  or  northwest — that  is, 
away  from  the  sun,  may  be  largely  avoided.  This  injury  is  generally 
attributed  to  the  intense  heat  of  the  sun  shining  on  the  exposed 
trunks,  but  it  is  probably  more  often  the  result  of  too  rapid  thawing 
in  the  sun  after  heavy  freezing. 

The  general  principles  that  apply  in  planting  fruit  trees  apply  in 
regard  to  small  fruits,  etc.;  hence,  no  special  comments  about  han- 
dling them  appear  necessary. 

WIND-BREAKS. 

Another  method  of  preventing  the  undesirable  effects  of  the  winds 
is  to  plant  a  wind-break,  or  "shelter  belt,"  on  the  side  or  sides  of  the 
orchard  from  which  the  prevailing  winds  come.  A  wind-break  is 
made  by  planting  hardy  trees  of  some  kind  that  will  grow  as  rapidly 
as  or  faster  than  the  fruit  trees.  It  should  usually  be  started  at  the 
same  time  the  fruit  trees  are  put  out,  unless  the  planting  of  the 
orchard  has  been  anticipated  and  trees  for  the  wind-break  started  in 
advance  of  the  fruit  trees. 

If  the  space  is  restricted,  a  single  hedge  row  of  some  strong-growing 
tree  will  amount  to  something  as  a  shelter  for  the  orchard.  But 
better  results  will  follow  if  several  rows  of  trees  be  planted.  A 
common  practice  is  to  set  at  least  three  rows  8  feet  apart  and  the 
trees  8  feet  apart  in  the  rows.  The  trees  in  the  different  rows  should 
alternate,  so  that  in  one  row  they  will  stand  opposite  the  center  of  the 
space  between  the  trees  in  the  adjoining  ones. 

A  number  of  different  kinds  of  trees  are  used  in  the  central  and 
southern  Great  Plains  for  wind-breaks.  Mr.  J.  E.  Payne,a  super- 
intendent of  the  departmental  substation  at  Akron,  Colo.,  recom- 
mends the  Russian  mulberry,  the  black  locust,  and  the  wild  Russian 
olive.  The  Russian  mulberry,  however,  is  not  entirely  hardy  in  all 
parts  of  the  central  Great  Plains.  In  many  places,  seedling  Russian 
apricots  would  probably  be  satisfactory  to  use  with  other  kinds  of 
trees  and  possibly  some  seasons  when  not  injured  by  spring  frosts 
they  would  produce  fruit. 

"See  Bulletin  130,  Bureau  of  Plant  Industry,  U.  S.  Dept.  of  Agriculture,  p.  65. 
[Clr.  51] 


FRUIT    GROWING    FOR    [IOMK    I  SI-:    I  \    THE    GREAT    PLAINS.  1  •"• 

The  Forest  Service"  of  this  Department  suggests  for  planting  in 
eastern  Colorado  the  green  ash,  the  honey  locust,  the  white  and 
golden  willow,  the  white  elm,  the  Russian  olive,  and  the  Carolina 
poplar,  and  in  the  Panhandle  of  Texas,  the  black  locust,  the  honey 
locust,  the  ( >sage  orange,  and  the  Russian  mulberry.  The  latter, 
besides  forming  a  dense  wind-break,  in  favorable  seasons  produces 
considerable  fruit  that  is  much  liked  by  birds.  When  there  is  a 
supply  of  this  fruit  at  hand,  it  is  said  that  birds  will  eat  it  in  prefer- 
ence to  cherries.  Hence  the  planting  of  mulberries  is  frequently 
recommended  as  a  means  of  protecting  the  cherry  crop  from  bird 
depredal  ions. 

Professor  Longyear,6  of  the  Colorado  Agricultural  Experiment  Sta- 
tion, gives  the  following  advice  about  wind-breaks: 

For  the  taller  growing  tree  in  this  region  the  common  cotton  wood  may  be  used, 
setting  them  about  8  feet  aparl  for  the  outer  or  uorth  and  west  rows.  A  second  row 
of  some  denser  grov  ing  kind  should  !><■  planted  about  8  feet  from  the  first  and  as  close 
as  [  feet  in  the  row.  For  this  purpose  l>ox  elder  is  a  suitable  tree,  except  in  dry  situa- 
tions, in  which  case  the  green  ash  is  recommended.  'The  trees  in  the  third  row  may 
he  planted  in  the  same  as  in  the  second  rew,  using  a  more  compact-growing  kind.  The 
Russian  golden  willow  is  recommended  for  this  purpose  as  a  rapid  grower.  The 
in  wild  olive  is  a  more  compacl  tree  of  lower  growth  and  is  particularly  desirable. 
White  or  American  elm  is  also  a  suitable  tree  for  the  inner  rows  in  many  places,  espe- 
cially where  a  fair  amount  of  moisture  can  be  depended  on. 

In  cases  where  the  wind  is  exceptionally  strong,  ii  may  be  found  necessary  to  plant 
a  belt  Is  wide  in  order  to  secure  complete  protection.     The  outer  two  rows 

may  consist  of  Russian  olive,  the  third  and  fourth  rows  of  black  locust,  the  fifth  and 
sixth  rows  of  hex  elder  or  ash,  the  seventh  and  eighth  rows  of  American  elm,  and  the 
inner  two  or  three  rows  of  cottonwood  or  Carolina  poplar,  the  rows  being  about  8  feet 
apart .  The  golden  Russian  willow  may  l>e  used  in  place  of  the  el  in.  and  honey  locust 
may  take  the  place  of  the  black  locust. 

[f  the  wind-break  consists  of  several  rows  of  trees  as  above  sug- 
gested the  time  will  come  in  many  cases  when  it  may  be  possible 
to  cut  some  of  the  trees  for  posts  and  other  uses.  This  may  be  done 
whenever  the  trees  are  dense  enough  to  give  the  necessary  protection 
to  the  orchard  alter  being  thinned  out  somewhat. 

ORCHARD  MAINTENANCE. 
<    I    I  TIVATION. 

In  the  semiarid  central  and  southern  Great  Plains  the  most  im- 
portant thing,  so  far  as  cultivation  is  concerned  in  its  relation  to  the 
production  of  general  crops,  is  the  conservation  of  moisture.  This  is 
equally  t  rue  in  relation  to  the  growing  of  an  orchard  and  the  produc- 
tion of  a  crop  of  fruit.     In  general,  the  methods  and  the  tillage  im- 

a  Letter  dated  November  16,  1909,  from  the  District  Forester  of  l>isiri<t  \'o.  2. 
&  Bulletin  L23,  Colorado  Agricultural  Experiment  Station,  p    16. 
[Clr.  ml 


14 


FRUIT   GROWING   FOR    HOME   USE   IN   THE   GREAT   PLAINS. 


plements  that  have  been  found  most  satisfactory  in  any  given  section 
may  also  be  used  in  cultivating  the  fruit  plantation,  with  a  single 
exception.  In  plowing  the  orchard  and  in  the  use  of  other  imple- 
ments of  tillage,  care  must  be  taken  not  to  work  the  soil  so  deep  that 
the  roots  are  injured.  If  the  trees  are  set  deep  when  they  are  planted, 
there  will  be  little  danger  in  this  respect.  A  well-cultivated  apple 
orchard  located  near  Plainview,  Tex.,  is  shown  in  figure  2.  The 
surface  has  been  maintained  in  good  condition  for  conserving  moist  inc. 
The  maintenance  of  soil  fertility  by  frequently  renewing  the  supply 
of  humus  is  essential  to  continued  success.  Nothing  is  better  for  this 
than  stable  or  barnyard  manure.     The  turning  under  of  some  green- 


FlG.  2.— Apple  orchard  six  years  old  grown  without  irrigation  a1  Plainview,  Tex.     Thetop     n  i  ill loo 

e,  but  formed  at  a  desirable  height  from  the  ground.    A  good  soil  mulch  has  been  maintained. 

manure  crop,  however,  makes  an  efficient  substitute.  A  good  supply 
of  humus  is  also  of  the  greatest  importance  in  connection  with  the 
supply  of  moisture  and  its  conservation. 

IRRIGATION. 

The  possibility  has  been  mentioned  of  resorting  to  irrigation  in 
order  to  tide  over  the  trees  or  other  fruit-producing  plants  in  times 
of  severe  drought.  Figure  3  shows  a  small  earth  reservoir  used  for 
retaining  a  supply  of  water  for  this  purpose.  There  are  many  of 
them  in  this  region.  One  may  be  constructed  on  almost  any  ranch 
and  in  most  yards  where  there  is  a  good  well  of  water  and  a  windmill. 
[Cir.  51 1 


1  1 ; I   II    GROWING    FOB    BOME    USE    IN    THE    GREAT    PLAINS. 


15 


It  is  made  by  excavating  the  earth  and  mounding  it  up  somewhat 
aboul  the  edge  or  rim  of  the  reservoir.  The  inside  is  then  puddled 
with  clay  or  in  some  other  u  ay  made  sufficiently  impervious  to  water 
to  prevent  seepage.     The  water  may  be  siphoned  out  for  distribul  ion. 


spb  \vin<;. 


On  account  of  the  dry  atmosphere  in  the  Greal  Plains  region,  fun- 
gous diseases  will  probably  nol  be  serious,  but  the  more  common 
insect  pests  may  be  expected  to  do  more  or  less  damage  unless  means 
of  control  are  applied.  'The  insect  problems,  however,  are  doubtless 
so  similar  to  those  of  other  regions  that  the  methods  of  control  that 
are  effective  elsewhere  will  prove  satisfactory  here. 


-  An  earth  "  lank,"  or  reservoir,  for  irrigating  small  gardens  and  fruit  plant: 

Much  information  about  spraying  for  fruit  diseases  and  insects  is  con- 
tained in  publications  of  this  Department.  The  more  import  am  ones 
are  as  follows : 

Bulletins.— ±$o.   127,    Important    Insecticides;   No.   243,    Fungicides  and 
Their  Use  in  Preventing  1 1  Fruits;  No.  283,  Spraying  fur  Apple  I  > 

the  Codling  Moth  in  the  Ozarks;  X".  I'M,  Insect  and  Fungou    I  m  mi''-  of  the  i 
i  i!m'  Rocky  Mountains. 

No.  '-'<>,  The  Woolly  Aphis  of  Ihe  Apple;  No.  l'H. 
The  Pear  Slug;  No.  29,  The  Fruil  Tree  Hark  Beetle;  No.  32,  The  Larger  Apple-Tree 
Borers;  No. 5 1.  The  Peach-Tree  Borer;  No.  73,  The  PlumCurculio;  No.  81,  The  Aphides 
Affecting  the  Apple;  No.  98,  The  Apple-Tree  Tent  Caterpillar;  No.  KM.  The  Apple 
'road   Worm. 
au  of  Plant  Industry. — No.  27,  Lime-Sulphur  Mixl  arcs  for  the  Sui 
Spraying  of  <  )rchards. 
[Or.  :,i] 


16  FKUIT    GROWING   FOR    HOME    T7SE    IN    THE    GREAT    PLAINS. 

Yearbook  Papers. — No.  50,  Pear  Blight:  Its  Cause  and  Prevention;  No.  386,  The 
Principal  Insect  Enemies  of  the  Peach;  No.  4?>?>,  Lime-Sulphur  Washes  for  the  San 
Jose  Scale;  No.  460.  The  Codling  Moth  or  Apple  Worm;  No.  480,  Information  ahout 
Spraying  for  Orchard  Insect-. 

These  publications  are  all  for  free  distribution  and  may  be  secured 
upon  application  to  the  Secretary  of  Agriculture. 

PRUNING. 

A  great  many  of  the  fruit  trees  now  growing  in  the  region  in  ques- 
tion are  in  serious  need  of  judicious  pruning.  The  chief  fault  at 
present  is  that  too  many  branches  have  been  allowed  to  grow  and 
the  tops  of  the  trees  have  become  too  brushy.  They  have  not  been 
kept  sufficiently  open  for  the  best  results. 

Of  course  the  other  extreme  is  also  accompanied  by  serious  results. 
The  top  must  not  be  too  open.  If  large  limbs,  and  especially  the 
trunks,  are  exposed  to  the  direct  rays  of  the  sun,  "sun  scald,"  as  the 
splitting  of  the  bark  in  the  spring  is  usually  called,  will  often  occur. 
This  will  greatly  injure  the  tree. 

It  is  difficult  to  give  specific  directions  for  pruning,  as  every  tree 
presents  its  own  problems  and  difficulties.  But  with  the  objects  of 
pruning  and  the  dire  results  of  both  extremes  fully  in  mind,  a  desir- 
able mean  should  not  be  difficult  to  reach. 

The  aim  should  be  to  cut  out  all  branches  that  cross  or  in  any  way 
interfere  with  others  that  are  more  important  and  to  thin  out  the  tops 
enough  to  keep  them  comparatively  open  for  the  admission  of  air  and 
sunlight.  Where  a  vigorously  growing  tree  is  allowed  to  go  year  after 
year  with  no  pruning,  the  limbs  that  compose  the  top  become  much 
crowded.  The  struggle  for  existence  grows  so  intense  that  only  weak, 
poorly  nourished   buds  develop. 

If  the  orchard  is  looked  over  every  year  dining  I  he  winter  or  early 
spring  ami  such  branches  removed  as  may  be  necessary  to  meet  the 
ends  in  view,  very  little  pruning  will  need  to  be  done  in  any  one  year. 
Only  rarely  will  there  be  occasion  to  remove  large  limbs. 

In  pruning  lite  first  year  to  form  the  head  of  the  tree  it  will  often 
be  possible  to  leave  branches  which  will  effectively  shade  the  trunk 
from  the  sun,  especially  if  the  tree  is  headed  quite  near  the  ground. 
This  will  make  possible  the  development  of  an  open-headed  tree 
without  danger  of  any  serious  secondary  results.  Leaning  the  tree 
toward  "I  he  afternoon  sun"  when  it  is  set  out,  as  previously  sug- 
gested, will  also  reduce  the  danger  of  injury  which  might  result  if  the 
tops  were  made  loo  open  at  any  lime. 

Another  reason  for  thinning  out  the  tree  lops  as  much  as  is  consist- 
ent with  their  healthl'ulness  and  crop-producing  capacity  is  its  rela- 
tion to  the  soil  moisture.  This  feature  is  generally  overlooked  in  this 
semiarid  region.     Within  certain  limits  the  more  branches  there  are 

[CIr.  51  I 


FRUIT    GROWING    FOB    IH'M!      USE    IX    THE    GREAT    PLAINS. 


17 


in  ;i  tree  top,  and  consequently  the  more  foliage  there  is,  the  greater 
the  amounl  of  moisture  that  is  taken  up  from  the  soil  and  passed  off 
through  tlu1  leave-  into  the  .atmosphere. 

Two  \ei\  strong  reasons  are  thus  indicated  why  fruit  trees  should 
he  thoroughly  and  systematically  pruned:  (1)  It  results  in  the  pro- 
duction of  better  fruit  and  in  many  cases  more  of  it.  (2)  It  is  a 
factor  in  consen  ing  the  soil  moisture.  This  i-  always  of  greal  impor- 
tance in  this  region. 

There  i-  a  great  difference  in  different  kinds  of  fruit  trees  and  even 
in  differenl  varieties  of  the  same  kind  with  regard  to  the  amount  of 
pruning  that  is  nec- 
essary or  desirable, 
some  requiring  very 
se"\  e  re  treat  men! . 
w  1 1 ill"  others  call  for 
\rr\  little.  But 
with  the  underlying 
principles  in  mind 
the  application  of 
t  hem  is  not  difficult. 

Reference  to  the  ac- 
companying illus- 

t  rat  ions  w  ill  he  SUg- 

■  ive  in  regard  to 
t  his  o  per  at  ion. 
Figure  1  shov 
peach  t ice  about 
four  years  old  t  hat 
stands  in  a  yard  in 
Plainview,  Tex.     It 

l-     low     headed       its    Fio.4.— A  well-formed  peach  tree  about  four  yeai 

branches  are  not  too  numerous,  and  in  general  it  may  be  considered 

a  well-formed,  well-pruned  tree. 

Figure  •">"  is  a  Ben  Davis  apple  tree  that  stands  in  a  dry-land  orchard 
about    18  miles  southeast  of  Denver,  Colo.     This  tree  has  not   keen 

allowed  to  develop  a  top  thai    is  too  dense,  and  in  other  respects  it   is 

desirable  as  to  form. 

The  trees  shown  in  figure  2  also  arc  headed  low  and  have  other  de- 
sirable features,  but  the  tops  should  be  1  lunned  out  somewhal  to  make 
them  more  "pen 

e  owner  of  the  orchard  in  which  the  tire  shown  in  figure  •">  i-  located  ha.c  a 
Geld  of  alfalfa  on  a  creek  bottom  that  passes  through  his  ranch.  Be  was  irrigating 
this  alfalfa  at  the  time  the  photograph  was  taken.  This  is  why  lie  was  wearing  rnl>- 
ber  boots.     The  orchard  has  never  been  irrigated.     The  roots  of  this  tree  probably 

do  no)  reach  tin'  water  table. 
I  fir.  r,l  | 


18 


FRUIT   GROWING   FOR    HOME   USE   IN   THE   GREAT   PLAINS. 


--•Sir-.. 


VARIETIES. 

Perhaps  the  most  serious  question  relating  to  fruit  growing  in  the 
central  and  southern  Great  Plains  is  the  "matter  of  suitable  varieties 
to  plant.  It  is  likewise  one  of  the  most  difficult  problems  concerning 
which  to  make  suggestions  or  give  advice.  To  be  successful',  the 
t  ices  or  other  plants  must  be  able  to  withstand  severe  climatic  con- 
ditions.    The   moisture  supply  is   always  scanty.     The  winds   are 

often  very  drying 
and  may  cause  the 
soil  moisture  t  o 
evaporate  to  a  se- 
rious degree.  Dry- 
ing winds  also  cause 
large  quantities  of 
water  to  be  given 
off  through  the 
leaves.  In  some 
sections  the  tem- 
perature drops  very 
low  at  times.  When 
all  these  conditions 
prevail  at  once  and 
for  any  extended 
period,  a  combina- 
tion exists  the  se- 
verity of  which  can 
hardly  be  exceeded. 
If  there  is  no  snow 
on  the  ground  at 
such  times  to  pro- 
tect- the  roots  from 
very  hard  freezing, 
the  danger  of  seri- 
ous injury  to  the 
trees  is  greatly  in- 
creased. 

The  varieties  of  the  various  kinds  of  fruit  grown  in  the  region  under 
discussion  are  quite  limited  in  number.  With  few  exceptions,  the 
plantings  are  young,  so  the  merits  of  the  different  sorts  that  have 
been  planted  are  not  yet  fully  determined.  Under  these  conditions 
it  is  not  possible  to  make  any  very  definite  recommendations  as  to 


Fig.  5.  A  well-formed  Ben  Davis  apple  tree,  grown  without  irrij  ition 
near  Littleton,  Colo.  The  roots  of  this  tree  probably  do  not  reach  the  water 
table.  It  would  be  better  ii  moreof  the  lower,  small  secondary  branches 
had  been  left  to  shade  the  larger  limbs  and  trunk. 


varieties    for   this 
[Cir.  r,i  | 


However,  the   following  lists,  composed 


nail    GROWING  OME    USE    IN    THE   GREAT    PLAINS. 


L9 


largely  of  varieties  thai   growers  thus  far  regard  favorably,  will   be 
estive  in  the  extension  of  fruit  growing 
[1    should    lxv   understood,    however,    thai    the   suggestions   as   to 
varieties  to  plant  are  only  tentative.     Further  experience  and  obser- 
vation will  doubtless  resull  in  many  changi 


APPl 


Suggested  for  tin 


III   /'linns 

ait  iimed. 


Early  variel  tea 

Benoni. 

t  Ihenango. 

Karl     B 

Jefferis. 

en  Blush. 

<  lldenbur 

Red  June. 

Summer  Queen. 

Vellow  Transparent. 
Mid-season  varieties. 

Grimes 

Jonathan. 

Wealthy. 
Winter  varieties. 

Arkansas  I  Mammoth  Black  '/' 

Arkansas  Black. 

Ben  Davis. 

Coffelt. 

.Missouri  '  Missouri  Pippin 

Xnrihw  i  Vorthwesti  ■ 

ing). 

Rail 

Beauty. 

Shackleford. 

Stayman  Winesap. 

rowers  have  supplied  information  regarding  varieties  both  in  personal  interviews 
with  the  writer  and  by  correspondence. 

i>  Some  of  the  varieties  mentioned  in  these  lists  are  more  commonly  known  in  this 
regioD  by  a  synonym  than  by  the  name  thai  conforms  to  the  rules  of  nomenclature 
adopted  by  the  American  Pomological  Society.     As  these  rules  are  follow' 

le,  the  accepted  name  is  given  in  each  case.  Wherever  this  course  is  likely  to 
cause  confusion  as  to  the  identity  of  any  variety,  the  synonym  by  which  it  is  com- 
monly known  is  given  in  italics  after  the  leading  name. 

'Much  confusion  i  irding  the  identity  of  the  cherries  grown  in  America 

under  the  name-  Montmorency,  Montmorency  Ordinaire,  and  Large  Montmorency. 
Growers  in  the  Greal  Plains  area  commonly  use  the  name  Montmorency  without 
distinguishing  one  variety  of  this  group  from  another.  Many  nurserymen  also  fail  to 
discriminate  between  them.     It  appears  probable  thai  the  variety  most  commonly 

ed  in  this  area  is  the  sort  commonly  known  in  the  New  York  nurseries  as  Mont- 
morency Ordinaire,  though  it  has  also  been  distributed  more  or  less  under  the  name 
I  Montmorency.     The  Large  Montmorency  variety  of  the  eastern  nur- 

claimed  to  be  of  better  quality  than  Montmorency  Ordinaire,  but  it  is  considered  a 
-h\   heater. 

[Clr.  51] 


Crabs. 
Ron 

Siberian  Yellow 
Transcendenl . 
Whitney: 

MS. 

America. 

1  lamson. 

lie  Soto. 

Forest  Garden. 

German  Prune. 

Goldei 

Italian  Prune. 

Ki'oh  i  Pooh  's  /'■ 

Lombard. 

Pride  ( Shipper's  Pru 

Waugh. 

ose. 

CHERRIES. 

Dyehouse. 

Montmorency  Ordinaire  I  Mont 

Morello  t  English    l/on  Uo 

Richmond  t  Early  I: 

Suda  (Suda  Han 

Agaw 

Concord. 


20 


FEUIT   GROWING   FOIt   HOME   USE   IN   THE   GREAT   PLAINS. 


Varieties  Suggested/or  the  Central  Great  Plains — Continued. 


grapes — continued . 
Diamond  (Moore's  Diamond). 
Niagara. 
Worden. 

GOOSEBERRIES. 

Champion. 

Downing. 

Houghton. 


gooseberries — continued. 
Industry. 
Pearl. 

CURRANTS. 

Fay  (Fa;/'*  Prolific). 
London  (London  Marh  i 
White  Grape. 
i  randall. 


Varieties  Suggested/or  th  Southern  Great  Plains.11 


CHERRIES. 

Montmorency  Ordinaire  (  Montmorency  1.6 
Morello  (English  Morello,  Wragg). 
Richmond  (Early  Richmond). 
Spanish  (  Yellow  Spanish). 

PLUMS. 

Damson . 

Golden  (Gold). 

( lolden  Beauty. 

Hammer. 

llawkeye. 

Kroh  (Poole's  Pride). 

Lombard. 

Nona. 

Pottawattamie. 

Wolf. 

Wonder. 

PEACHES. 

Green-     Alexander. 
Alton. 

A i|>  ( Arp  Beauty). 
Carman. 
( Ihinese  Cling. 
Elberta. 

Heath  (Heath  <  'ling). 
Lee  (General  l.<  e) 
Lemon  Cling. 

a  Certain  fruits  are  being  propagated  and  planted  in  this  section  under  the  varietal 
names  mentioned  below,  the  exact,  identity  and  standing  of  which  it  has  not  been 
found  possible  to  determine.  It  is  possible  that,  some  of  them  are  well-known  Borts 
to  which  local  names  have  been  applied.  As  thej  are  apparently  of  considerable 
value  in  this  section  of  the  Great  Plains  and  the  names  as  given  have  definite  signifi- 
cance there,  i1  seems  advisable  to  mention  them  in  this  connection.  The  principal 
varieties  that  come  in  this  group  are: 

Apples:  Hale  County  Beauty.  Lively  Choice,  Stormproof,  Red  Winter  Cluster, 
Yellow  Cluster 

Pear:  McWhorter. 

Peaches:  Annie  Williams,  Dalmont's  Favorite,  Borlacher. 

Plum:  Six  Weeks. 

6  See  fool  in  ile  r.  page  19. 

[Cir.  51] 


APPLES. 

Early  varieties 

Early  Harvest. 

Ilorse  (  Yellow  Horse). 

Maiden  Blush. 

Red  June. 

Tetofski. 

Yellow  Transparent. 
Mid-season  variet  Les. 

Crimes. 

Jonathan. 

Wealthy. 
Winter  varieties. 

Arkansas  Black. 

Ben  Davis. 

Bismarck. 

Gano. 

Limbertwig. 

Missouri  (  Missouri  Pippin). 

Northwestern    ( Northwestern 

in,/). 

Ralls  (Genet,  Geneton). 
Rome  Beauty. 
Winesap. 
Crabs. 

Florence. 

Hyslop. 

Whitney. 


FRUIT    GROWING    FOR    HOME    USE    IN    THE    GREA1     PLAINS. 


2] 


!  lets  Suggested  for  the  Southern  Ureal  Plains     Continued. 


(iHAl 

■ill. 

Carman. 

Concord. 

Diamond  i  Moore's  Diamond). 

Fern  Munson. 

( ."lil  Coin. 

Marguerite. 

:  l  I'll . 


I'K.u  ins    continued. 
Levj     h 

Mam  H'    K 

i  lldmixon  Clii 

■  I . 
mph. 

II    IRS. 

ml. 

iuleme  I  Duchesst  d\  Ingoulenn 

I '.an! 
K-  ii  mce. 
Wilder. 

Varieties  Suggested  for  Western  Nebraska. 
\d  investigations  regarding  fruit  growing  have  been  made  I>\  the 
writer  in  western  Nebraska  and  eastern  Wyoming.  It  is  perhaps 
possible,  however,  to  suggest  varieties  of  fruit  lor  planting  in  this 
sect  ion  of  t  he  ( Ireat  Plains  w  it  h  greater  assurance  t  han  for  any  other 
portion  of  the  semiarid  region.  'Phis  is  on  account  of  the  long 
experience  of  a  nurseryman  and  fruit  grower  who  resides  in  Saline 
County,  Nebraska,  and  who  for  many  years  has  been  planting 
orchards  in  western  Nebraska.  After  having  tested  a  large  number 
of  varieties,  he  suggests6  for  Lincoln  County,  Nebraska,  and  other 
comparable  sections  the  following: 


APPLES. 

Early  variety. 

( (ldenburg  (  Duch  ss  of  Uldi  n 
Mid-season  varieties. 

Day. 

Jonathan. 
Maiden  Blush. 
Plumb  Cider. 
Wealthy. 
Winter  variel  ii 
Ben  I  lavis. 

Missoiu  i     Missouri  Pippi 
Ralls  {Genet,  G(  ii>  ' 
Winesap. 


appi.es— continued. 


< 'rali 


Whii  ney. 


lie  Si iti i. 

Foresl  Garden. 

Hawkey. 
Lombard. 
Wyant. 

'  BERRIES. 

Montmorency  Ordinaire  {Montmort 
Morello  {English  Morello,   Wragg 
( (stheim. 


1  Suggested  for  the  Extrenn   Western  Portion  ha  and  Eastern   Wy 


APPLES 

Early  variel  ies. 

Oldenburg  i  Duchess  of  Oldenburg). 

\  ellov  Tran  parent. 
Mid-season  variel 

ilthy. 


Ai'i'i  es     continui 
Winter  varieties. 

Northwestern     i  Vorthiecstern     <■ 

Pat  ten  |  Patu 
Rail 


eral  of  the  varieties  here  named  are  hybrids  originated  and  introduced  bj 
T.  V.  Munson,   Denison,  Tex.     Other  hybrids  and  eei  In-  production  maj 

ipted  to  this  region, 
bin  a  letter  in  the  writ  L9. 

[Clr.  r.l] 


22  FRUIT   GROWING    FOR    HOME   USE   IN    THE    GREAT    PLAINS. 

FURTHER  COMMENTS  ABOUT  VARIETIES. 

A.S  late  spring  frosts  cause  much  injury  to  fruits  in  this  region  dur- 
ing the  blossoming  period,  it  is  important  to  select  for  planting 
varieties  that  blossom  relatively  late  so  far  as  it  is  possible  to  do  so. 

Very  few  currants  and  gooseberries  are  grown  in  the  Panhandle 
region  and  correspondingly  little  information  is  available  as  to  what 
varieties  are  adapted  to  this  section.  Hence,  no  sorts  are  named  in 
the  lists  of  fruits  for  planting  there.  It  is  probable,  however,  that 
the  varieties  suggested  for  the  central  section  would  he  as  satisfac- 
tory in  the  southern  portion  as  any  that  could  he  named. 

Juneberries  have  been  successful  at  some  points  and  are  probably 
worthy  of  planting  throughout  the  portion  of  the  Great  Plains  under 
consideration.  Other  small  fruits,  such  as  raspberries,  blackberries, 
strawberries,  etc.,  are  occasionally  grown  hut  frequently  suffer  from 
drought,  especially  if  it  comes  early  in  the  season.  Not  much  can 
be  said  at  this  time,  however,  as  to  varieties.  The  Kansas  blackcap 
raspberry,  the  Kittatinny  and  Dallas  blackberries,  and  the  Mayes 
(Austin)  dewberry  have  been  mentioned  as  giving  satisfaction, 
especially  if  they  are  given  some  irrigation.  The  fruitfulness  of  cur- 
rants is  also  said  to  be  greatly  increased,  in  some  instances,  if  they 
are  watered  early  in  the  season. 

In  some  of  the  colder  and  more  exposed  locations  the  cane  fruits 
require  protection  to  prevent  winterkilling.  This  can  Ik1  given  by 
laying  the  canes  down  and  covering  with  earth  during  cold  weather. 

It  will  be  noted  that  in  the  lists  of  variel  ies  suggested  for  planting 
in  the  central  and  southern  Great  Plains,  many  mhis  arc  listed  for 
both  sections.  This  naturally  follows,  because  of  the  similarity  of 
the  conditions  existing  throughout  these  sections.  In  fact  it  seems 
quite  probable  that  the  same1  varieties  in  nearly  every  case  might 
prove  satisfactory  in  both  the  central  and  southern  sections.  At 
least,  a  variety  that  is  proving  satisfactory  in  the  central  portion 
would  doubtless  he  a,  promising  one  for  trial  farther  south.  Lower 
winter  temperatures  sometimes  prevail,  in  the  central  portion  of 
this  region  than  in  the  southern.  There  is  more  rainfall  in  the 
southern  than  in  the  central  portion.  Because  of  these  differences 
varieties  that  can  he  grown  successfully  in  the  Panhandle  of  Texas 
might  not,  in  all  cases,  prove  sufficiently  hardy  and  drought  re- 
sistant for  eastern  Colorado  and  western  Kansas. 

In  the  majority  of  cases,  those  who  have  sel  out  orchards  or  other 
h  mis  have  not  kept  any  record  of  the  varieties  planted.  The  variety 
labels  or  other  marks  of  identification  soon  become  detached  and  the 
names  of  the  different  sorts  are  forgotten.  In  a  section  like  this, 
where  little  is  known  about  the  adaptability  of  varieties,  it  is  very 

[Cir.  51  ] 


FRUIT    GROWING    FOB    EiOME    CSE    I.N    THE    GREA1     PLAINS.  23 

often  of  great  importance  to  know  the  names  of  the  varieties  that 
arc  being  grown.  This  may  be  of  value  not  only  to  outside  parties 
but  also  i"  the  growers  themselves. 

It  is  therefore  recommended  that  whenever  frail  trees  or  other 
fruit-bearing  plants  are  set  out,  a  record  of  the  variet  ies  be  made  and 
preserved  For  future  reference.  If  a  plat  of  the  land  be  made  showing 
jusl  where  every  tree  or  plant  of  each  variety  is  planted  ii  may  add 
materially  to  the  value  of  other  records  that  are  kept. 

Approved : 

.1  Wll.v    W  ||  SON, 

St  >  n  tary  of  .  [yricultun  . 

\\  \>iii\.,To\.  I).  ('.,  January  10,  WW. 
[Cir.  r,i] 

O 


UNIVtKSHY   OF-   FLORIDA 


3  1262  08928  9895 


